Tag: japanese

Categories
ramen

Ichiran: Eating Ramen Alone in a Cubby Hole

A popular Japanese ramen chain, Ichiran, recently opened up their first US location in Brooklyn (East Williamsburg/Bushwick – Morgan L stop). They’re famous for their Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth) and eating by yourself in small booth for one. It’s like eating in a closed-in cubicle.

I decided to try them out on Thanksgiving, thinking it would be empty. Then I could enjoy my solitude in even more peace. But there was actually quite a lot of people there. A lot of Asians. Maybe they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.

There’s actually two sections to the restaurant. The individual booths and another room with tables where you could sit with other people. I also noticed you can remove the wall between the individual booths so you can see the person next to you. But I’m not sure why anyone would want to do that.

Anyway, the ramen was surprisingly good. I ordered my broth strong and rich. It’s cool that you can customize your ramen. I didn’t think I would want that option. I rather have others decide what’s best for me. But what if that person decided my broth should be bland and dull? That would suck.

You’re supposed to be able to go through this restaurant without having to talk to anyone. You write your order in. Someone in a hole picks it up and brings you your food without you having to see their face. But I ended up having to make eye contact and talk to several employees. I feel like I failed.

The pricing seems expensive. But considering this is a non-tipping establishment, the price comes out about the same as any other decent ramen spot in New York. The beer though is expensive I think. $8.90 before tax for an Asahi draft that had a lot of foam. $41.05 for ramen, pork belly and a beer. Maybe this should have been more like $35.

There was a line out the door when I left. Asians ever hear of Thanksgiving?

Ichiran – 374 Johnson Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11206

Categories
asian

Koa’s Sorba Noodles

Koa is a newish restaurant in the Flatiron area, headed the widow of Benihana’s founder, Keiko Ono Aoki (who is also the mother of Steve Aoki) and Iron Chef Chinese Yuji Wakiya.

They have a new noodle called Sorba. Not Soba, but it’s more like Ramen. I actually don’t know what makes it different then Ramen though. But it’s pretty good, but pricey.

We started off with Chicken Buns. They are bao type buns and are good.

I got the Soymilk Dan Dan Sorba ($23 lunch; $25 dinner). I liked it. The milky broth is great. It is pretty expensive for what it is though.

The lunch special sets look like a good deal, however. For instance, the Soymilk Dan Dan Ramen is $16.75 and comes with a salad and spring roll. So since I’m not sure what the difference between Ramen and Sorba is, it comes out a better deal I think.

My mind is still blown that Sorba noodles were created by Steve Aoki’s mom.

Koa – 12 W 21st St (btwn 5th & 6th Ave) New York, NY 10010

Categories
asian

Robataya’s Uni and Salmon Roe Don

I don’t know why Uni (Sea Urchin) intrigues me so. The aroma of Uni reminds me of my childhood –our old VCR in the 80’s in Winter Park, FL. It has like a smokey metallic taste that emanated from that early model VCR. Why I keep ordering it? I don’t know.

This time I tried a big bowl of Uni and Salmon Roe over rice ($22 at Robataya in the East Village). Sounds kind of awesome. It was really good for the first bites at least. Although, I don’t know why anyone would really want to that much Uni and Salmon Roe. I don’t love my old VCR that much. I finished it though.

Robataya – 231 E 9th St (btwn Stuyvesant St & 2nd Ave) New York, NY 10003

Categories
asian

Oh! Taisho’s Deep Fried Baby Horse Mackerels

I went to see Andrew WK’s book reading/interview at the Strand for the new 33 1/3 book about his hit album, I Get Wet. Half way through, I realized I knew the author! …back from college and some early years of NYC. I felt so stupid that I didn’t recognize him. Well, glad to see he’s doing well.

03 Andrew WK - I Get Wet Book - Phillip Crandall

Then afterward, I went to Oh! Taisho. I got a few skewered things, like liver, scallions, garlic and quail eggs. Then I decided I needed one more thing on the menu. I got the Deep Fried Baby Horse Mackerel with Curry Seasoning. They were great. You can eat the heads and the skeletons —all of it!

01 Deep Fried Baby Horse Mackerel - Oh Taisho

Oh! Taisho – 9 St. Marks Pl (btw Cooper Sq & Astor Pl in East Village) New York, NY 10003

Categories
treats

Surprise Japanese Candy

Sam got these Japanese Candies (Hida No Warubobo Wanted). I don’t know if that’s an anime/manga/cartoon. I couldn’t find any info. But the bag of candy is interesting. There are five pieces of hard candy …one of which is spicy. So I guess it’s kind of like a Russian Roulette style of eating candy. We all took a piece and ate it at the same time. Surprise! Sam got the spicy one.

Categories
asian

Iroha Japanese Restaurant

Here was a day I assumed I was going to get VIP to an event. I just assumed I would. I’ve been getting VIP all summer. Although I didn’t get it this time. I was dumbfounded and acted like a little brat. I figured I was entitled to VIP.

So I went nearby to said event in Midtown to contemplate if I should even go. I decided on this Japanese restaurant, Iroha. I got some sake. I ordered the Seabass Miso Yuan. It was recommended on the menu. Really tasty even though on the small side. Also got a skewer of grilled garlic and shishitou peppers. Good. Then ordered another sake and California Roll while I decided if I want to go.

I said fuck it and manned up. Why am I so entitled to VIP? Who am I? I’m just like everyone else. So I walked over to Roseland Ballroom and there was a line going around the whole block almost full circle. I went home.

Iroha – 152 W 49th St (btwn 7th & 6th Ave) New York, NY 10019

Categories
asian

Suzume Japanese Restaurant

We checked out Suzume on Lorimer Street across the street from the pizzeria where Son of Sam used to eat. Coincidentally, we were eating with a Sam. He likes to eat Ramen. So this was his idea. I like sake, so I said yeah.

I ordered a large carafe of sake, but I think the joke was that it was just for me. The other guys assumed we were sharing it.

We started off with some sushi that was pretty good and then moved on to bowls of Ramen. It’s weird how I rarely eat carby meals these days. Like I used to eat spaghetti and mashed potatoes every single day. Now, not so much. So this was weird eating a bowl of noodles. I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be like this. But I thought it was pretty good.

They gave us Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with the receipt. Pretty unexpected. Too bad I rarely eat sweets anymore. Fuck. I never felt so guilty from a dinner.

Suzume - 545 Lorimer St (btwn Ainslie & Devoe St) Brooklyn, NY 11211

Categories
asian restauranting

Ootoya Japanese Restaurant

We went to lunch at the Japanese restaurant, Ootoya. It seems to be popular. We waited over twenty minutes to be seated. They gave us hot towels when we sat down to wash our hands.

The carafe of sake came out pretty fancy in a bowl of ice. And we got to choose our own sake cup. I can’t stop drinking sake.

Looking at the menu, it looked pretty expensive. But when I saw the food we got, it actually seemed like a good deal. My grilled fatty Mackerel was $16, but came with Homemade Pickles, Steamed Egg Custard, Miso Soup and Rice (topped with Grated Japanese Yam for an extra $2). The Grated Japanese Yam was interesting. I don’t think it really had much of a flavor, but it sure made the rice all gooey.

I liked Ootoya. Next time, I feel like I should dress up like a Japanese businessman though.

Ootoya – 8 W 18th St (btwn 5th & 6th Ave) New York, NY 10011